Automatic key case



NOV. 1, 1932. v s g gfo 1,885,957

AUTOMATIC KEY CASE Filed Aug. 15. 1929 luu 3 "WIMP": *1 g-....2...:.,... 1 .14- J U "Ti g;

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES ROSCOE ELWOOD SINGLETON, OF-CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AUTOMATIC KEY case Application filed August 15, 1929.Serial n 386,031.

This invention relates to improvements-in automatic key cases and itsobject primarily is to provide means for releasably encasing keys insets, the sets being capable of release selectively.

A further object is to provide a key case that may be convenientlycarried in a pocket without danger of damage to the garment or to thepocket. A still further object is to provide a key case of novelconstruction and few parts that is inexpensive to manufacture, thatcannot easily get out of order and that is durable and efficient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists inthe combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter fullydescribed, pointed out in the claims and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing which forms a part of this application for patent and in which-Fig. 1 is a face view of the key case partly in section and partly inelevation with one set of keys in extended or released position.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View of Fig. 1 turned half way around.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional View taken on the line 14 of Fig. 1'.

Like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

This key case is of the flat-box type that can be conveniently carriedin the hand, readily operated with one hand and easily slipped into orremoved from the pocket. The box or case is formed with runways overwhich key holders travel, in the present instance there are two setsofrunways, parallel and spaced apart. The case is formed with a largeopening at .each end, these openings being obliquely opposite each otherso that the sets of keys are discharged from opposite ends of thecasing.

'The casing comprises the face walls 1, 2

connected by the edge walls 3. i which are separated by the open endportions 5, 6 of the casing. said open end portions being disposedobliquely opposite each other. One end of the edge Wall 3 is bentinwardly to form the short partition wall 7 and the relatively remoteend of the wall 4 is bent inwardly to form the short partition wall 8,said walls 7, 8 being parallel and serving as guide walls for the keysin the encased position of the key holders.

Extending longitudinally of the casing from the walls 3. 4 to the openportions 5. 6 of the casing are the runways 9. 10. each runwaycomprising a pair of parallel ridges and within or between the ridges ofeach runway and secured to one edge wall is an expansion coil spring 11.Inverted U-shaped key holders 12 are slidably received in the runways 9,10. each key holder being formed along one side with a longitudinallyextending slot 13 that receives a guide and stop pin 14 secured to theface wall and when this pin rides against the inner end of the slot 13.as shown in Fig. 3, it prevents a further outward movement of the keyholder which would otherwise result in its detachment from the casing.

Pivotally secured to the key holders by screws 15 that extend throughperforations in the same and through like perforations in the keys arethe keys 16, preferably three or more keys comprising a set. \Vhen theshanks of the keys lie substantially parallel to the sides of the holderframe the-latter together with its keys may be moved longitudinally of arunway. In the extended position of a. key holder any and all of itskeys are supported ready for use. When it is desired to again encasethem the key holder is manually moved inwardly until it encounters andcompresses the spring 11. In compressing the spring 11 the key holderengages the dog 17 fulcrunied to pin 18 carried by one casing face wall,said dog having the upturned end 19 engaged by the leaf spring 20 andthereby yieldin'gly retained the maximum distance from the edge wall towhich said spring is terminally secured.

Pivotally secured to the dog 17 is one end of the pitman 21a connectedby pin 22 to the arm 21 of the bell-crank-lever 21, 23 fulcrumed uponpin 22a, carried by the casing, one arm 23 of said bell-crank-leverbeing connected to the plunger button 24 mounted to an edge wall andextending through the same and through the guard bracket 25, a spring 26encircling said plunger button and abutting the guard bracket yieldinglyretaining the button in normal or retracted position. \Vh en the keyholder is manually forced entirely within the casing the dog 17 willride into releasable locking engagement with the end of one side thereofand normally hold it in such encased position.

To extend the key holder and keys for use again the plunger button 24 ismanually pressed into the casing move the bellcrank-lever upon itsfulcrum and retract the dog thus releasing the key lioldc'r andpermitting the spring 11 to expand and eject the key holder again. Thekey holders and their locking and releasing means are arranged in setsas described. One complete set herein shown and described and part of asecond set is shown in the drawing As the sets are identical in theirconstruction and operation,

v2 regardless of their number, a description of one set is thoughtsufiicent.

\Vhat is claimed is 1. In automatic key cases, a casing having openingsin its ends, said openings being 25 obliquely opposite each other,runways extending lengthwise of said casing and each having one terminalin one of said openings, springs at the closed ends of said runways, keyholders slidably arranged in said runways for contact with and movementby said springs, and manually operable means for releasably locking saidkey holders in said casing in engagement with said springs.

2. In automatic key cases, a casing having openings in its ends, saidopenings being disposed obliquely opposite each other, runways extendinglengthwise of said casing and each having one terminus in one of saidopenings, springs at the. closed ends of said runways,

key holders slidably arranged in said runways for contact and movementby said sprin s, said key holders moving into and out o opposite ends ofsaid casing, and manually operable means for locking and selec tivelyreleasing said key holders within said casing.

3. In automatic key cases, a casing having openings in its ends, two ofthe walls of said casing being bent inwardly to form guide artitions forthe keys, runways vextending engthwise of said casing and each havingone terminus in one of said openings,-springs at the closed ends of saidrunways, key holders slidably arranged in said runways for contact withand movement by said rings and manually operable means for lee" g anselectively releasing said key holders within said casing.

ROSCOE ELWOOD SINGLliiTGN,

